University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Missouri-St Louis at a Glance
The University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) is a public research university in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. Established in 1963, it is the newest of the four universities in the University of Missouri System. Located on the former grounds of Bellerive Country Club, the university's campus stretches into the municipalities of Bellerive Acres, Bel-Nor, Cool Valley, and Normandy. Additional facilities are located at the former site of Marillac College and at Grand Center, both in St. …
1963
63 years old
$118M
$118.01 million (2023) (UMSL only) $2.24 billion (2023) (system-wide)
8,023
680
Identity
Is University of Missouri-St Louis Worth It?
University of Missouri-St Louis offers moderate value at $15,071/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,037, which is 1% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Missouri-St Louis compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 93 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #5 | Pasco-Hernando State College | 80 | $5,203 | $39,903 |
| #6 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #23 | University of Missouri-St Louis | 50 | $15,071 | $53,037 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Missouri-St Louis's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MO.
Best Programs at University of Missouri-St Louis
The highest-earning program at University of Missouri-St Louis is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $70,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $20,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Missouri-St Louis earns $70,400, while a Anthropology graduate earns $20,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $22,750 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,071/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $70,400 | $70,400 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | $59,500 | $59,500 | $24,188 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,300 | $58,300 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,700 | $54,700 | $22,329 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,100 | $54,100 | $25,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $52,200 | $52,200 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,000 | $43,000 | $21,250 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $37,400 | $37,400 | $20,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,900 | $32,900 | $26,054 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,900 | $32,900 | $18,193 |
| Biology, General | $32,000 | $32,000 | $16,159 |
| Criminology | $31,800 | $31,800 | $19,500 |
| History | $31,100 | $31,100 | $24,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,800 | $30,800 | $24,569 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,300 | $30,300 | $20,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $30,100 | $30,100 | $19,824 |
| Sociology | $30,100 | $30,100 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,900 | $29,900 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General | $29,100 | $29,100 | $20,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $16,406 |
| Social Work | $26,800 | $26,800 | $24,750 |
| Education, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $29,873 |
| Anthropology | $20,600 | $20,600 | $22,750 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Saint Louis, MO
- Student Body
- 5,024 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,071
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,037
- Median Student Debt
- $20,000